The Endicott Alumni Mentoring Program matches Endicott undergrads with successful alumni working in their fields for one-on-one career mentoring. Mentors help students learn more about their fields, and in turn, students update mentors on campus life and re-acquaint them with the campus community. Read on to learn about the mentorships of Amanda Schubert and Kirsten Smith, who both graduated this past spring.

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Amanda Schubert, a communications major, was matched with radio veteran Karen Blake during her sophomore year. Karen has been on the radio for most of her adult life as a DJ on stations such as Kiss108-FM, WZOU-FM , and Star 93.7-FM. Being matched with Karen not only allowed Amanda the opportunity to learn about the radio business, but it also led to the opportunity for her to experience it for herself. For her sophomore year internship, Amanda interned at 103.3 WODS-FM, where Karen is the morning radio personality, and Amanda was able to sit in during the live broadcast each day. She also assisted in the promotions department and sat in during voice-over sessions. Says Amanda: “interning was such an amazing experience and I am so grateful that I was able to have this opportunity. Everyone was extremely helpful and I have no doubt that the connections I have made with the staff will help me in the future. It was a chance of a lifetime.”

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Relationship building has been a consistent theme running through the mentorship between senior interior design student, Kirsten Smith, and her mentor, Catherine Cleare, owner of Catherine Cleare Design LLC, a residential design firm located in Westport, CT. Since being matched, Kirsten and Catherine have had many discussions about the importance of building long-term, respectful relationships with vendors and other clients. Catherine explains that as a mentor she wanted to tell Kirsten “the things that nobody else told me”. She says that while it’s important to have all of the necessary design skills, you also need to understand how to run a business. Kirsten says that the real world advice that Catherine has given her has been invaluable. She has learned the importance of maintaining a professional demeanor no matter what the situation or who she is interacting with.

In addition to explaining the importance of relationships, Kirsten has been able to create new professional relationships as a result of Catherine’s efforts. Catherine has introduced Kirsten to several people in the industry, both during their visits to the Design and Decorating building in New York City, as well as when Catherine introduced her to a designer in the tourism industry that was able to give her some assistance with her senior thesis. Overall, the mentorship has been extremely beneficial for both Catherine and Kirsten and will likely be a lasting friendship for many years to come.

To learn more about the Endicott College Alumni Mentoring Program please contact Jaime Freedman at: jfreedma [at] endicott [dot] edu